Sterilizing apparatus



O. H. HANSEN Dec. 18

STERILIZING APPARATUS Filed Feb. 19 1921 A TTD'RN EY- I acitizen of ,the' United States, residing at;

Patented Dec. 18, 1923. v

omits stars Paar or en OSWALD H. HANSEN, OF PORT WASHINGTON, WISCONSIN, ASSIGNOR, BY DIRECT AND MESNE ASSIGNMENTS, T0 HANSEN PORATION OF WISCONSIN.

To all whom it may concern Be it known that -I, OSWALD H. HANSEN,

Port VV-ashington, in'the county of Ozaukee and State of Wisconsin, have invented a certain new and useful sterilizing Apparatus, of which the following is a specification;

This invention relates in general to" improvements in the art of treating food studs in order to preserve the .same, and relates more specifically to improved apparatus for automatically cooking and sterilizing foods after they have been packed 15 I in containers.

An object of the invention is to provide i. simple and efficient apparatus for cooking and sterilizing food stufis which have been packed in containers.

, The present invention contemplates the provision of improved automatic cooking apparatus which will operate at a speed commensurate with that of any highspeed filler, which will eliminate the human ele- 'ment, in which the operating cost is reduced to a minimum, which is perfectly reliable, which reduces the necessary floor space'to a minimum, and in which maximum efliciency of sterilization is attainable. The improved apparatus has the specific advantages over the prior automatic cookers, of permitting gradual heating and cooling of the cans thereby eliminating disruption of the seams, of avoiding necessity of completely disabling the mechanism when one or several cans become jammed, of permitting ready removal of a jammed can, of permitting eflicient sterilization of different grades of material, andof-permitting sen sitive control of the heating agency.

A clear conception of an embodiment of the invention and of the manner of operating mechanism constructed in accordance therewith, may be had by referring to the drawing accompanying and forming a part of. this specification, in which like reference characters designate the same or similar parts in the-several views;

Fig. 1 is a central vertical section through one form of the'improved sterilizing appa ratus.

STERILIZING APPARATUS.

Application filed February 19, 1921. Serial No. 446,839.

Fig. 2 is a transverse horizontal section through the improved sterilizing apparatus, the section being taken along the line II-II looking in the direction of the arrows.

Fig. 3 is a fragmentary central vertical section through the improved paratus, the section being taken along the line IIIIII looking in the direction of the arrows.

The improved automatic cooker and sterilizer comprises in general a main frame 2, an annular seriestof four'or more vertically elongated compartments forming treating chambers 3, 4, 5, '6 which are rotatably supported by the frame 2, a can supply chute 26 for conducting food laden cans 12 to the upper ends of the successive chambers 3', 4, 5, 6, a can stop 33 associated with the supply chute 26, a can discharge chute 27 QANNING MACHINERY CORPORATION, A COR- sterilizing apfor conducting the treated cans 12 away from the lower ends of the successive chambers 3, 4, 5, 6, a drip catch or water drain 32 located below and extending laterally of the can discharge chute 27, and power means partments to different positions about a central vertical axis.

The main frame 2 is provided with vertically spaced upper and lower central hubs within which a tubular bearing member 7 is rigidly secured. Vertically spaced continuous up er guide rails 8 are rigidly attached to t e frame 2 adjacent to the upper ends of the chambers 3, 4, 5, 6 and have upwardly distorted portions '10 located adjacent to the can supply chute .26. Vertically spaced continuous lower guide rails 9 are rigidly attached to the frame 2 adjacent to the lower ends of the chambers 3, 4, 5, 6 and have downwardly distorted portions 11 located adjacent to the can discharge chute 27. The water drain 32 is located'below and extends along the distorted portions 11. Each of the treating compartments is of sufficient size to confine aplurality vent cocks 34 for. permitting escape of gas for intermittently moving the treating com- 7 from within the chambers 3, 4, 5, 6. Each of the treating compartments is also pro vided with a hinged lower cover 16 having an actuating roller 29 which 'coacts with the lower rails 9. p a

The treating compartments are rigidlyunited by means of a plurality of radial struts formed integral with the compartments and with a lower bearing coacting with the central tubular member, and by means of .a circular-top plate having an upper integral bearing likewise coacting with the central tubular member 7. The lower radial struts are provided with-steam supply c'onduits or passages 30 which are automatically and periodically connected to the main steam inlet 13- through a transverse opening in the tubular member 7 located directly below a partition in the member 7 as shown in Fig. 2, during rotation of the treating compartments; The'upper radial struts are provided with watersupply conduits or passages 31 which are automatically and periodically/connectedto the main water inlet 14 through a transverse opening in the tubular member? located directly above the partition in the member 7 as shown in Fig. 3, during rotation of the treating compartments. Thelower bearing is provided with a 'stufling box 35 for preventing escape of fluid under pressure along the exterior surface of the tubular member 7. f The power apparatus for intermittently moving the treating chambers 3, 4, 5, 6 to different positions about the axis of the tubular member 7, comprises a main horizon-' tal power shaft 22 rotatably supported upon the frame 2, a worm gear 21 secured to' a medial portion of the shaft 22, a vertical column or stub shaft 19 secured to the frame 2, a worm wheel 20 rotatable upon the shaft 19 and meshing with the worm gear 21,'and

eneva gearing drivingly connecting the worm wheel 20 with the lower bearing of the treating compartments. Associated with an end of the power shaft-22 are idler and driving pulleys 24, 23 respectively, with either of which a drive belt 25 may be made to coact. The Geneva gearing consists of a, driving member 18 secured directly to the worm wheel 20 and having a driving roller 36 revoluble about the axis of the shaft 19,

I and a radiallyslotted driven member 17 engageable with the member 18 and roller 36, the member 17 being rigidly secured to the lower compartment bearing. This Geneva gearing is a well known mechanical movement and is adapted totransmit intermittent rotary movemenfl to *the treating compartments from the ntinuously' rotating power shaft 22. c

During normal operation of the apparatus, the driving belt 25 is brought into coaction with the drive pulley 23 thus imparting rotary motion to the shaft 22'and to .26 by the Geneva gearing. From filling successive loaded chambers 3, 4,.

sition, the 5, 6 are advanced to the position in which indicated in Fig. 1. When termittent rotary motion 'is imparted to the gear member 17 thereby causing the chambers 3, 4, 5, 6 to alternately revolve through 90 degree arcs and to stop for predetermined definite periods of time. As the successive chambers 3, 4, 5, 6 approach the can supply chute 26, the rollers 28 carried by up the rail portions the top covers 15 ride 10 and automatically open the covers 15 as indicated in Fig. 3. The, food laden cans 12 resting upon the chute 26 and held against endwise movement by the stops 33, are released by virtue of the open cover 15 and are then free, to rolltalong the chute 26 and drop by gravity into the successive open chambers 3, 4, 5, 6 as these chambers are held stationaryin alinement with the chute po chamber 3 is shownin Figs. 1 and 2, whereupon the top sealed and steam is automatically gradually admitted from the 'main steam inlet 13 through the passages 30 to the interiors. of the treating chambers. admitted to a stationary treating chamber the vent cock 34 is opened momentarily, thus producing a rapid flow of steam into the chamber, the temperature, pressure and rate of flow of the steam being regulated by means of an automatic regulator associated with the inlet 13. The successive heated chambers 3, 4, 5, 6 are subsequently advanced ,to the position in which chamber 4 is shown in Figs. 2 and ing agent such as water is automatically gradually admitted from the main cooling fluid inlet 14 through the interiors of he treating chambers. The teniperature an flow of the cooling fluid are controlled by regulator to produce gradual cooling of the treated cans 12. The successive cooled chambers are subsequently advanced to the position in which chamber 5 is shown in the passages 31 to.

covers 15 are automatically .95 When steam is thus 3, whereupon a coola i means of an automatic Figs. 1 and 2 whereupon the cans 12 are discharged by gravity and delivered insuccession down the the chambers advance toward the discharge position the rollers 29 carried by the ,bottom covers 16 ride down the rail portions 11 and automatically open the covers 16 as the bottom gov irs begin to open the water from the treati g chambers is precipitated into the water drain 32 by the aid of which such water is conducted away from the apparatus. The successive empty chambers 3, 4, 5, 6 are subsequently presented to the can supply chute discharge chute 27. As

26 whereupon the cycle of operations is r'efood laden cans 12 are automatically sterilized, cooled and delivered, thereby entirely eliminating manual handling of the/same. The rate of treatment may be altered to conform with the rate of delivery of the filled cans 12 from the closing machines, either by varying the speed of the drive shaft 22, by increasing the number of chambers 3, 4, 5, 6 or by providing several sterilizers for each filling machine. The necessity of' manually transporting the food laden cans 12' from the closing machines to the sterilizer, from the s'terilizerto the cooling bath and from the cooling bath to a subsequent destination, is entirely eliminated. The operation of the vent cocks 34.may' readily be made automatic thereby permitting the closing machine opera-tor to assume complete control of the sterilizers as well, without undue eiiort,and reducing the cost of operation to a minimum. The individual compartments may be made of sufficient size to receive any desired number of cans 12 and the number of cans 12 actually admitted to eachchamber 3, 4, 5, 6 may be limited as is desirable when there are a limited number of cans 12 packed with a grade of material requiring treatment for special periods of time. The degree of sterilization may be readily varied the particular product confined in each chamber thereby permitting most efiicient treatment of the product. The elimination of crates and other transporting apparatus reduces to a minimum the necessary floor space and permits disposition of the sterilizer relatively near to the packing apparatus.

In the event that one or more cans 12 be-' come jammed in one of the chambers 3, 4, 5, 6, the remainingchambers are still available for the treatment of product. The jammed can may be readily removed by merely removing the roller 28 and raising 'the cover 15 of the disabled compartment.

The waste of heating and cooling agencies is reduced to a minimum by closely confining the cans 12, and the temperature ,pres sure and rate of admission of these agencies may be effectively controlled with the aid of reliable regulators. The heating and cooling operations may thus be conducted as gradually as necessary in order to avoid disruption of the can seams and consequent .spoilage of product. 1

The apparatus as disclosed in the drawing, is illustrated diagrammatically and in relatively simple and-compact form in order to permit clear description of its operation. The Geneva gearing may be replaced by any other mechanism adapted to transport the foodproduct through the successive steps of the cycleot operation, and the sizes and to suit the characteristics 0t 'tainers.

number of treating chambers 3, 4, 5, 6 may be'increased or diminished without departa plurality of food laden containers within said chamber, means for simultaneously means forming fa chamber, means for automatically confining and desired to secure by heating all of said confined containers,

means for subsequently cooling all of said .confined containers, and means for effecting automatic release of said cooled containers from said chambe'm; a

2. In combination, means forming a chamber, means for etfectin automatic delivery of a plurality of foo laden containers into said chamber, means for automatically sealing said chamber to confine said containers therein, means for simultaneously heating all of said confined containers, means for subsequently cooling all of said confined containers, and means for subsequently automatically unsealin said chamber 3.. In combination, means forming a chamber, means for automatically confining a plurality of food laden containers'within ber about an axis, means for successively heating and cooling all of said confined containers at difi'erent points in the advancement of said chamber, and means for subto permit discharge of said con= said chamber, means for moving saidchamsequently efi'ecting automatic release of said containers from said chamber.

4. In combination, means forming a; chamber, means for intermittently moving andstoppin said chamber, means for auto matically confining a pluralit of food laden containers within said c amber stopped, means for simultaneously heating all of said confined containers while. said while i ins chamber issubsequently stopped, means for cooling all of said confined containers while said chamber is subsequently stopped, and means for efi'ecting automatic release of said containers while said chamber is sub sequently stopped. 7

5. In combination, means forming an annular series of chambers, means for confining a plurality of food laden containers within successive chambers of said series, means for simultaneouslyheating all of the containers confined within one of said chambers, means for subsequently simultaneously cooling all of the confined containers, an d means for subsequently efiecting automatic release of said containers chambers of said series. 7

6. In combination, means forming an annular series of chambers, means for auto matically confining a plurality of food laden containers within successive chambers of said series, means for successively heating the containers confined in successive chambers of said series, means for successively cooling the confined containers, and means for subsequently effecting unsealing of successive chambers of said series whereby discharge of said containers is permitted.

7. In combination, means forming an annular series of chambers, means for autoplurality of food laden containers within successive chambers of said series, means for heating the containers within successive chambersof said for effecting automatic release of said cooled containers from successive chambers of said series.

8. I nular series of chambers, means for rotating said chambers about a central axis, and means for automatically opening the upper ends of successive chambers of said series to admit containers thereto and for subsequently automatically opening the lower ends of successive chambers of said series to permit delivery of said containers therefrom.

9. In combination, means forming an annular series of upright chambers, means for intermittently advancing said chambers about a common vertical axis, means admitting food laden containers through the tops of successive chambers of said series, and a pivoted cover for effecting automatic removal of said containers from the bottoms of successive chambers of said series.

10. In combination, means forming an an nular series of chambers each having an upper and a lower cover, means for automatically opening the successive covers of said ambers, means for subsequently automatically admitting steam to chambers of successive series, and means for subsequently opening the successive lower covers ofsaid chambers. 4 11. In combination, means forming an an nula-r series of upright chambers movable about a vertical axis, means ior automatically delivering a plurality of food laden contamers downwardly to each of said chambers predetermined point,

from successive advancing said 11 combination, means forming an an-.

the successive heating and cooling means forming an annular series of upright chambers, means fbr intermittently advancing said chambers about acommon Vertical axis, means for delivering a plurality of food laden containers downwardly toeach of said chambers while at rest, means for automatically delivering heating agency to each of said chambers, means for automatically delivering cooling agency to each of said chambers, and means for subsequently automatically removing said containers downwardly from said chambers while at rest.

13. In combination, means forming a plurality of chambers, means for intermittently chambers about a common axis, means for automatically confining a plurality of food laden containers in each of said chambers while at rest, means for heating said confined containers, means for cooling said confined containers, and means for automatically effecting removal of said containers from successive chambers of said series while at rest.

14. In combination, means forming an annular series of vertically elongated chambers, means for intermittenly advancing said chambers about a vertical axis, means for automatically confining a plurality of food laden containers in successive chambers of said series while at rest, means for heating said confined containers while said chambers are at rest, means for cooling said confined containers while said chambers are at rest, and means for automatically effecting removal of said containers from successive chambers of said series while at rest.

15. In combination, means forming an annular series of chambers, a top cover for each of said chambers, a bottom cover for each of said chambers, and means for successively raising and lowering said top and bottom covers.

16. In combination, means forming an annular series of chambers, Geneva gearing for revolving said chambers about an ax is, a. top cover for each of said chambers, a bottom cover for each of said chambers, and cam rails for opening and closing successive top and bottom covers during movement of said chambers by said Geneva gearing.

17. In combination, an annular series of chambers movable about a vertical axis, means for admittin food laden containers to the upper extremities of successive chambers of said series, means for successively said containers while within said chambers, and means for delivering said containers from the lower extremities of successive chambers of said series.

In testimony whereof, the signature of the inventoris afiixed hereto.

OSWALD H. HANSEN,

12. In combination, 

